Just as people began responding to my blog on “Confronting Evil,” reports started coming in about the tragic deaths in Nice, France on July 14 – the killing of innocent people around the world continues to shock us daily. Yet again, we are confronted with unbelievable crimes against humanity, no matter what the cause, from mental instability to terrorism. If this is earth school, what are our lessons today? And more to the point, how does the force of pure love felt by so many who report near-death experiences play a role through all of us in healing?

After extending the deepest condolences and prayers of love and comfort for the victims and their families, we have a choice to make – to meet hatred with hatred or to bring love and compassion into the equation. Forgiveness may take some time, but is also key to shifting the dynamic of love in our world. The one who benefits most from forgiveness is the forgiver.

Each of us individually has the free will to choose our response, and each of us is at a different level of awareness, learning, and spiritual growth. It is not about being better than another, or always choosing wisely (because we do learn from mistakes), or even sharing a common belief system. But it is, I think, about reaching closer to a mutual goal of unconditional love, at our own rate. After all, some may not yet realize that love is a worthwhile goal, and no amount of being told “this is what you should or must believe” will get them there. We all learn and grow based on our own experience and understanding.

We know, from the sheer numbers of NDEs and the commonality of their reports, that the soul is not limited by the existence of the physical body, and is eternal. Yet, many people do not believe the soul is eternal, because they have not personally experienced an NDE or other spiritually-transformative experience (STE), nor read much about their evidential nature. They may not have had the opportunity to meditate, pray or experience the spiritual aspects in their lives — yet. They have their own lessons to learn, as do we all.

My worldview has been shaped not only by my profound NDE deep within coma, but also by the confirmatory testimony from many souls I have met along the pathway of sharing my experience and its most positive message about humanity and our earthly existence. The underlying message is one of unity, Oneness, and the higher good of all being the goal. I believe that this focus on the primacy of love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness is at the core of all of the great faiths of the world, although it has often been twisted and distorted by those humans who take it on themselves to interpret and present to the masses an altered version of the original message of the prophets, often towards the goal of controlling others. This mode of control is completely at odds with the simpler and more profound message originating in those great teachers of love and compassion – Buddha, Christ, and Muhammad being prime examples.

This worldview is centered in the Oneness of all consciousness, and the source of that Oneness is the infinite healing power of unconditional love at its core. As always, a cardinal transgression at the heart of this worldview is the act of killing — the killer violates the miracle of life through killing, whether of self or others. From my journey, it is clear that suicide and homicide are wrong at the deepest levels. Homicide is justified only if it prevents the homicide of others. Peaceful solutions and avoidance of escalation of violence through retribution and revenge represent the ideal. But in our complex world, one must often support the actions of good police officers, who endeavor to protect all citizens without bias or prejudice, and of soldiers, who protect the innocent by defending against threats and violence. When the intent to value and protect life is central, such actions are manifestations of this same fundamental love and respect for the sanctity of life. The deep love of this universe is just, and honors not only life but the expression of free will by those who respect others. We are all co-creators of the world we wish into being from our loftiest dreams.

To clarify specific questions regarding the “life review” that a terrorist might have, my journey witnessed the broad mechanism of souls having their life review as a crucial part of the soul school aspect of existence, that we are all here to learn and teach as consciousness evolves.

The life review is not what an individual perceives simply from their own perspective, but rather it is an omnidirectional evaluation from everyone with whom we have interacted – we feel our words and actions through their eyes, and through their extended family and friends’ eyes and hearts, and through those who may read a news article about a public incident, etc. Crucially, we feel the emotional impact that our actions and thoughts have on others, from their perspective.

The perceived boundaries of our individual self turn out to be ephemeral, and the Oneness we share with all other beings becomes apparent. So, the murderer will feel the emotions, pain and sadness of the murder victim, and there is no escaping this. Magnify that by the number of people harmed or killed, and by the number of people around the world who are shocked around feelings for that murderer. These are intense feelings that will likely be a personal hell for the one having such a “life review.” After he completes his review, in the brilliant healing light of the unconditional love of Source, he will come to better understand the crucial role of love.

Free will is available to all – it is not whether, but how it is used, that can assist one in evolving swiftly or slowly, or remaining stuck. And, as far as the force of love at the source getting through to someone cast as “evil,” it depends on all of us, doesn’t it? If such actions are countered with hatred, love will have a hard time being seen or felt. On the one hand, we could allow the terrorists’ agenda to trap us in fear and hatred of them and their actions, and to separate us from others. If, on the other hand, enough people shift to love and pray for all, that some kindness can penetrate the wall of hate the terrorist has constructed, then we begin to chip away at those hardened beliefs that lead them to repeat their cycles of destruction. Of course we must try to contain their actions and protect others, but there is a fine line in our approach, our intent.

As a civilization, we have a responsibility to defend people from such violence, and how we go about it is another free will choice—one that benefits from many thoughtful people engaged in finding answers. Most people, including myself, would defend themselves or their families if they were personally threatened. But what do we do after the danger passes? Do we forgive, do we pray, do we re-center ourselves in love? How do we honor the fallen in this seemingly perpetual cycle of violence? Perhaps their extreme sacrifice can lead us to review our laws (internationally) about allowing guns in our communities, to reword our every message and action based in love, and to enter more publicly into dialog about our mutual journeys of soul that endeavor to bring down walls rather than build them higher. We are truly One, and the more we come to know and live this, the better off we all will be.

Guns are not the problem, Eben. They are just another tool, one that can be used for good or for evil. Restricting good peoples’ rights and abilities to defend themselves will only make them easier targets for spiritually and mentally ignorant predators.

I really like Dr. Alexander. I would like to meet him one day. I bought all his books and I believe he is 110% genuine. I believe in his spiritual and scientific philosophy.

If this is indeed a soul school, it must be more like a boot camp for some, a Harvard for others. While a beautiful world awaits us, we live in this one now and it feels as real as it gets. It is the only game in town so to speak. It is all we have. Certainly it is worth defending.

Wherever you look it seems bad people are literally getting away with. murder. Every day. If someone were to kill my friends or family or worse yet be subjected to some hellish scene I had to witness at the hands of ISIS…I know the biggest and best thing to do would be to forgive them. To realize (hope anyway) that their torment would be greater than mine. Up in heaven that would do my soul good. But what would it do down here? If we just loved ISIS and let murderers get away with murder because we loved them they would do it more. Would they not feel emboldened? There are some people who will/can/won’t ever be reached. Surely, I could be forgiven for wanting my family’s tormentors dead. Or to even do the deed myself. And in so doing, would I not be sending a signal that would disuade more evil if they saw how they themselves would die also?

You can twist yourself in circles about all this. But one fact is that we are all here and as Eben said, what we do matters. Even if it is just and example that we set.

Who are the ‘terrorists’? The men walking into airports and detonating bombs? Or maybe the great governments and the armies you referred to who invade, murder, rape and destroy lives in foreign countries in the name of ‘counter terrorism’? The terrorists exist because of great injustice and oppression carried out by our governments and our leaders. You said armies are necessary in order to protect people – I watched the great British Army come into our country and kill innocent men, women and children on our streets in cold blood. The ‘terrorists’ of our society were the men and women who took up arms to defend their rights and their people, to fight against terrible injustice and oppression. Their souls and their minds now tarnished and damaged because they felt they had no choice but to fight…How easy it is for everyone to say that we are the righteous, we are on the side of good and those ‘terrorists’ on the other side are evil. The world is not black and white. Everything you say about love is right but we as human beings need to stand up for each other and ask why is someone so angry, so filled with hate that they want to destroy life? Religion is a major factor without a doubt but we need to hold governments accountable for their actions.

Dr. Alexander, What a profound set of perspectives for both of these posts. You are a gift. A very wise man once said: “Adversity is necessary for us to evolve, not sometimes, but all the time.” (My apologies if I have’t exactly quoted you, but I think this captures the idea of what you once said.)

Earth school would not be what it is without adversity – in this case evil. While we all came from the same place, we’re all here for different reasons. Perhaps it’s not for us, here/now to vanquish evil, but maybe on the other side (where the perpetrator “feels” the full consequence of their acts) and in another time when that same soul returns, chooses another way and begins to heal?

In linear time, humans have come a long way toward isolating and eliminating evil since ancient/pre-historic times. It obviously remains a challenge for us, but from great challenges eventually come great triumphs. The bitterness of today’s pain is the seed of tomorrow’s pleasure?

Stolen or inspired from you reap what you sow. This knowledge has been around since the beginning.
Also the life review is taught in the Bible as well (Judgement of God) as when after murdeer Cain is marked and God says anyone who takes revenge on him will experience vengeance sevenfold. And it grows with the number of souls created and entering into this world. You explain it differently, Eben, and I have experienced this sort of torment (the perception of your actions on others and how it affected them turned on you and making you aware). It’s overwhelming. I attempted suicide and failed and trust me.. it is 100% an evil act. I felt nothing but pure terror and hopelessness during the act and only Jesus was able to give me some acceptance and relief and forgiveness although faint and ultimately a second third fourth and fifth chance. Ever since that day I run to him as much as I can but still am tempted into hate or acting or hate because society can be very cruel and they don’t all understand forgiveness. Until I can perfect the act of forgivemess I imagine I will not leave this earth. I also experienced a dream where I was visited by a young woman or girl the age I don’t know. I only know she was shorter than me with dark hair and a freckles nose. She told me quote “ If you live a long fulfilling life then one day we will have a lot of fun together, but if you kill yourself…”. After not finishing the sentence she burst from her body in a demon which now towered over me. It terrified me and I am wary of sharing that dream because people can get the wrong impression. But it is what it is. It was a very vivid experience and had a large impact on my life. It wasn’t until several years later that I forgot the warning and committed to horrid act and luckily survived. The dream was prophetic and I know this now. There are still many question I have regarding that and what I’ve experienced thus far since in this world. And so I will pray about that. I ask all who care and wish to, to pray for me and my struggling nature as well as I will for you and all of humanity. Even you are a good soul and I believe you are also learning like the rest of us. I honor Christ but even the Bible has a symbol for Christ in each book of the Old Testament foretelling of his birth and death and act to save us all from Gods Wrath.

Thank you again for the encouragement, you are a highly trained physician, a healer of bodies and now a healer of souls this is the noblest of professions how remarkable it was for you to see this in your NDE. My friends and myself will continue to struggle with the term “unconditional love”
this explanation of we will experience the harm we all do from the perspective of those we have harmed must then be balanced by the opposite of the good we do by loving others. Tom

I am glad you published this Part II to your essay, Dr. Alexander. I am a firm believer in your core views on many things, but I strongly diverged with you in re Part I.

You raise excellent points here, most of which I can agree with. However, I would urge you to consider the definition of “danger” it today’s world. (“But what do we do after the danger passes?”) There is no shortage of people who report the tragedies, the mass murders, the attacks, etc. What tis sorely lacking, however, is an acknowledgment of the danger that lurks beneath our feet, perpetrated not by those whom we define as terrorists, but rather, by those in official capacities who enable, excuse, and protect them – who are not themselves terrorists.

As an example, I submit the Rotherham, England rape gang scandal. For at least twelve years, school officials, social workers and the police knew about, but did nothing to do stop overlapping Pakistani pedophile rape gangs that were operating there. No matter how many times the victimized girls (ages 11-16) reported what was happening to them, these officials not only did nothing, they created entire programs of denial and intimidation against those who wanted to act. At a minimum, 1,400 girls were victimized – but now, outside officials are saying this may only be 10% of the actual number.http://legalinsurrection.com/2014/08/political-correctness-helped-cover-up-child-sexual-exploitation-in-rotherham/
And it is from within these very gangs that the terrorist attacks against England, France, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Norway are being planned and perpetrated.

Then, there is the same thing, the official complicity, that occurred within Sweden. Twenty years ago, it was one of the most peaceful, serene countries in the world. Now, it is acknowledged as the “rape capitol of the West,” with one in four women and girls told they will be the victim of rape (not sexual harassment, or assault – full-on rape) in their lives. http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/5195/sweden-rape

I submit these facts because I think the definition of “danger” needs to be expanded to acknowledge the underlying issues, the ideologies that foment the danger that we see on our TV screens. But when someone says just what I have, and is backed up by sober documentation, they are called a “racist” or “intolerant” by the same officials who are supposed to be protecting us.

To bring my point home, you said, “Most people, including myself, would defend themselves or their families if they were personally threatened.” But what if you knew that the very same school officials who allowed other girls in the school that your daughters attend to be victimized in this way, to remain on the job, while your daughters still attend? The danger is still present, because:
a) These officials still have the power to enable these attacks, and fail to report them or cooperate with law enforcement, and b) The same gangs, driven by the same ideology, are operating within your town, and you are told that to say anything about what they are being taught, is to make you a bad person.
[…]
I am not trying to be controversial, or to dismiss the virtues of the approaches you recommend to creating more harmony and peace in the world. But I firmly believe that how you define “danger” must be expanded to encompass not only the imminent threats, the perpetrators, but those who are supposed to be acting in our defense, and yet, are actually complicit in allowing this danger to grow and grow and grow beneath our feet, until one or 1,400 girls are victimized, or buildings are knocked down, or planes start falling from the sky.

I think it’s important to always emphasize that even if you must kill another (in the military or as a citizen or any circumstance), if it is not done with malice but with intention connected with a higher purpose then I don’t believe that is the same as murder and a person’s life review will be quite different. Heroic.

That can be translated across the board in all life circumstances. Note how the Native Americans thanked the buffalo before they killed and used him for their survival. Even in my humble garden when I pull weeds I often talk to them saying, “Sorry, but you just have to go and make room for my flowers.” I don’t know why I talk to the weeds, I just do and it feels right.

I wish our military and police force could be spiritually educated. I think they would be alot more effective and there would be less PTSD.

Thank you so much dr. Eben Alexander for sharing your thoughts and helping me in trying to make some sense of a terrible and senseless situation. Thanks for consistently reminding us that we are all inter connected and hence pure unconditional love is the best solution. Thanks for your inspiration and encouraging perspective on life and the true nature of reality.

Eben Alexander III MD

Eben Alexander, MD, was an academic neurosurgeon for over 25 years, including 15 years at the Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital, and Harvard Medical School in Boston, with a passionate interest in physics and cosmology. He is the author of the New York Times #1 bestseller Proof of Heaven and The Map of Heaven. His third book, co-authored with Karen Newell, Living in a Mindful Universe, was released in October 2017. Learn more…